This event, unique in its kind, focused on the eco-sustainable transition of fashion brands, design, Made in Italy, and tourism. Numerous guests, exhibitions, and public workshops were organized to raise awareness about sustainability across various fields.
Co-organization with European Institutions
The event was co-organized with the European Parliament and the European Commission to emphasize the EU’s pioneering strategy to position itself as a global policy maker in sustainability. Participants included the Mayor of Rome, 100 speakers from 17 different nations, several Italian ministers, international opinion leaders, and sector experts.
Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè’s Intervention
Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanchè spoke at the tourism panel, highlighting the intrinsic link between tourism and sustainability. She emphasized the importance of events like the Phygital Sustainability Expo in forecasting future trends. Recent ISTAT data shows that 2023 was a record year for Italian tourism, with over 134 million arrivals and 451 million overnight stays. This success is attributed to the efforts of the president Meloni government and the collective work of sector operators and workers. The minister stressed the need for continuous innovation, especially in sustainability, and mentioned a newly allocated fund of over 5 million euros for sustainable tourism. The Need for a Green Revolution. The clothing industry faces significant challenges in balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability and workers’ rights. Minister Santanchè emphasized the need for a “green revolution” to rethink production methods, raw material collection, and familiar clothing usage models. The Phygital Sustainability Expo plays a crucial role in the sustainable transition process.
Opening Remarks and EU Sustainability Efforts
Valeria Mangani, president of the Sustainable Fashion Innovation Society, opened the event. Carlo Corazza, director of the European Parliament Office in Italy, and Antonio Parenti, director of the European Commission Representation in Italy, highlighted the EU’s progress towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, a key goal of the European Green Deal.
Dressing the Future
Valeria Mangani discussed the significance of the event and its innovations. The fashion industry, one of the largest globally with an average annual growth rate of 7.31% (2021-2025), significantly impacts the environment as a primary source of greenhouse gas emissions, including CO2 and other pollutants. The industry produces over 92 million tons of waste and consumes 79 trillion liters of water annually, ranking second in water resource usage and causing water pollution.
The fashion market is valued at over 1.3 trillion euros and employs over 290 million people worldwide, driven by “fast fashion,” which has led to an exponential increase in production, with about 100 billion pieces sold today, a 400% increase from twenty years ago. By 2050, this quantity is expected to triple. Consumer Behavior and Quality Over Quantity
Mangani concluded with a principle: buy less in quantity but better in quality. Initially, this might seem more expensive, but it saves money in the long run. When purchasing low-cost outfits through e-commerce and subsequently returning them, it’s important to note that these returns cannot be resold on the market.
Scientific Research and Publication
These statistics are part of the new scientific publication “Dressing the Future: Vital Interactions as a Source of Innovation. The Case of the Sustainable Fashion Innovation Society,” produced in collaboration with Sapienza University of Rome and published by Giappichelli. The publication was presented at the Phygital Sustainability Expo. Thirty-six companies from eight different nations and ten sectors (including fashion, luxury, tourism, energy, entertainment, and food & beverage) participated in the research, along with two international institutions, three national institutions, the Ministry of Made in Italy, ten multinationals, and twenty highly innovative fashion-tech startups.
Sustainability as a Competitive Tool
For fashion companies, sustainability is not only an ethical commitment but also a competitive tool, increasingly important as consumer behavior shifts towards responsible practices. The European States General on sustainability serves as an international stage where companies – not just brands, but also suppliers – announce their innovations, such as new fabrics, materials, or leather produced entirely from plants.
Creating a Network
The Expo aims to showcase new productions and facilitate meetings between policymakers, including ministers, parliamentarians, European Commission members, brands, manufacturing companies, and startups, thus creating a network that was previously lacking in Italy. This network is a vital point of contact between institutions and production.
Sustainability Policies and Producer Responsibility
The European Commission and the European Parliament will develop sustainability policies that will require companies to invest time and money. One example is the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law, an environmental policy that holds producers accountable for the post-consumption phase of their products, including waste management.
Sustainability Exhibitions and Workshops
Ten Italian brands showcased sustainable outfits in an educational exhibition on the terraces of Trajan’s Markets, organized by FAO. There was also a workshop on ancient crafts, such as glove making by Unic-Concerie Italiane, and the reintroduction of plant fibers like hemp and silk. The first International Cotton Table and world premieres were presented by companies, including Radici Group, which has an annual turnover of 1.5 billion euros.
Strengthening Made in Italy
In the panel “MIMIT-Strengthening Made in Italy: Excellence and Strategic Supply Chains,” Federico Eichberg, head of the Cabinet of the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, explored how Made in Italy, traditionally associated with fashion, design, and gastronomy, is becoming crucial for the development of cultural, creative, and tourism enterprises.
Sustainable Tourism as an Economic Catalyst
The panel discussed how sustainable tourism can act as a catalyst for economic growth, benefiting the environment and promoting Made in Italy abroad. Tourism Minister Daniela Garnero Santanchè and Lorenzo Galanti, director general of ITA-Agency for the Promotion Abroad and Internationalization of Italian Companies, discussed innovative strategies to enhance responsible tourism that integrates sustainable practices. They highlighted that, by the end of 2022, Made in Italy exports reached 620 billion euros, marking a 19.8% increase. This remarkable result stems from the valorization of Italian products and their adaptability to a sustainable tourism and commercial model.
Revitalizing Historical and Cultural Sites
Minister Galanti emphasized the importance of sustainable tourism for preserving the environment and improving the tourist experience through Italian hospitality. He focused on the tourism potential of Italy’s historic and cultural villages, still largely undiscovered.
Efficient and Sustainable Transport
The panel “Efficient, Safe, and Environmentally Friendly Transport Towards Carbon Neutrality: Utopia or Reality?” highlighted the current state and prospects of the transport sector, emphasizing the importance of circular economy, energy efficiency, green mobility, and sustainable finance in developing innovative value chains in the sector, with a direct impact on tourism.
Lorenzo Pireddu, general manager of Uber Italy, announced new agreements with Italian taxi operators initially in Rome and Milan.
Challenges in Public Transport
Ing. Oliviero Tahir, CEO and founder of Safe Industries, discussed the challenges and opportunities in the public transport sector in Italy, particularly focusing on safety. The discussion underscored the role of sustainability as an integrated component in tourism development strategies, highlighting the need for significant changes in consumption models, supply chains, and management systems to ensure a responsible and resilient tourism future.
Conclusion by Valeria Mangani
Phygital Sustainability Expo once again proved to be an essential platform for responsible innovation. Valeria Mangani emphasized that the event is also a critical moment for reflecting on how the fashion, Tourism, and other crucial industries for the country’s development can promote significant global change. With the support of the European Parliament and the European Commission, the foundation is being laid for a future where Tourism not only respects but also enhances and protects cultural and natural heritage as precious and irreplaceable assets.
Speakers and Topics Notable speakers included Khaby Lame, who spoke about anti-racism campaigns; Environment Minister Pichetto Fratin on Environment Day; and Heinz Beck, who discussed sustainable cuisine and the candidacy of Italian cuisine as UNESCO heritage.
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